Be Fabulous this CNY with Gorgeous Headbands from Sereni and Shentel!

Posted on January 11, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Chinese New Year is here! Everybody is getting busy with all the preparations for food, ang pow money, travel, plans with the family and, of course, looking fabulous for CNY dinners and gatherings.

I bet most of the ladies are spending much time on what dress and shoes to wear. Some are even planning on redoing their hairstyle, having their manicure and pedicure done among other things to look beautiful for the season. Like them, I’m also thinking of how to look my best on those important days. Being married to a Chinese, I celebrate Chinese New Year together with his family and relatives. New Year’s Eve dinner is an important occasion when everyone will be sitting together to enjoy food and exchange warm wishes to usher the New Year in.

So, yeah, I also need to plan on what to wear and how to look nice. While flipping through one of my favorite monthly magazine, Female, I stumbled upon this amazing and interesting online shop — Sereni and Shentel.

My first reaction upon reading the article was, “How come I’ve never known this brand before?” Oh, my goodness! This is such a revolutionary and extraordinary brand!

Accessories can make a huge difference to how attire makes its impact and an individual’s personality. I used to collect a lot of headbands with different colors and thicknesses. Well, I particularly love thick ones because they put my hair in place more efficiently; I used to have dry, messy hair until I met ‘re-bonding’. Haha! But it’s not easy to find really good headbands. I don’t like those types with ‘teeth’ that make me uncomfortable. Some materials are also too hard and can give me migraine throughout a day. Most of all, it’s not easy to find pieces that blend with, complement or fire up your attire.

When I saw the headbands by Sereni & Shentel, I was awestruck. They are so charming and fabulous! These headbands are really a fashion statement on their own. So I check out the website, www.sereniandshentel.com, and I was even more captivated. The designs are out-of-this-world, in a good way, and all the headbands are handmade, which makes the details look very elaborate and attractive. Sereni & Shentel offers online shopping for their gorgeous headbands and provides free shipping to Malaysia. Shipping is also available to other selected countries with applicable shipping fees.

Enough said, I’m just delighted to share what the brand offers. Take a look at all these great items and, by the way, these are just some of what they have in store. There are so many collections I can’t even decide which ones to post here!

For Chinese New Year dinners where you want to be in your beautiful cheong sam, these pieces are great accessories, whether or not your dress is in red!

Sereni & Shentel CNY Pom Pom Headband

CNY POM POM

RM129

Giant pom poms in red and pink sewn onto a Shocking Pink headband. Made from Metallic ribbon and wool pom poms. Headband has Sereni & Shentel 24K Gold Plated trademarked charm.

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Sereni and Shentel Ice Ice Baby Shiny Red Headband

ICE ICE BABY SHINY RED

RM156

A classic headband for the girl who wants to add some bling to her outfit. More colours available.

Sereni and Shentel Mini Matte Tangerine Headband

MINI MATTE TANGERINE

RM135

Not as in your face as ice ice baby, this mini version still packs a punch in the bling department. Great for the girl who wants to be quietly ostentatious.

Sereni and Shentel CNY Bejewelled Lolita Bow

CNY – BEJEWELLED LOLITA BOW

RM100

A CNY edition Lolita bow in Gold with shiny gold stones, sewn onto a Petersham headband in Chocolate Chip. Size & Fit:  Headband thickness is 1.3cm. Bow is 85mm wide. Made from Rayon for the headband base and Metallic ribbon for the bow. Headband has Sereni & Shentel 24K Gold Plated trademarked charm.

Sereni and Shentel CNY Velvetine Blair

CNY – VELVETINE BLAIR

RM129

A CNY edition tangerine Blair sewn onto a Velvetine headband in Russet Orange.

Size & Fit:  Headband thickness is 1.3cm. Made with acrylic stones, metallic ribbon and velvet ribbon. Headband has Sereni & Shentel 24K Gold Plated trademarked charm.

Sereni and Shentel also offers lovely gift sets for all occasions. Great gifts for fashionable friends, great buys for you!

Sereni and Shentel Velvetine Gift Set

VELVETINE GIFT SET

RM120

The best gift for the girl who can’t just have one.  Any three colors of your choice.  Headbands come with a white dust bag.

Sereni and Shentel Borneo Gift Set

BORNEO GIFT SET

RM285

The ultimate Borneo gift set includes:

1 x Borneo Lolita of your colour choice 

1 x Borneo Block Party of your colour choice 

1 x Borneo Blair of your colour choice 

1 x SS white dust bag

Sereni and Shentel Somewhere Over the Rainbow Gift Set

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW GIFT SET 2

RM377

This gift set includes:

1 x SS Rainbow Blair 

1 x SS Rainbow Ice Ice Baby Mini 

1 x SS Rainbow Bow Down 

1 x SS white dust bag

Sereni and Shentel Mini Trio Gift Set

MINI TRIO GIFT SET

RM240

This Mini Trio gift set includes:

1 x Lolita of your colour choice 

1 x Mini Block Party in grosgrain of your colour choice 

1 x Ice Ice Baby Mini of your colour choice 

1 x SS white dust bag

This next one is probably the most rare set I’ve seen:

Sereni and Shentel Velvet Bunny Gift Set

VELVET BUNNY GIFT SET

RM520

This gift set includes:

1 x SS Showgirl Velvet Bunny 

1 x SS Showgirl Lolita Glove 

1 x SS Showgirl Collar & Cuffs 

1 x SS white dust bag

This one contains headbands that will really turn heads and eyes on you:

Sereni and Shentel Be Seen Gift Set

BE SEEN GIFT SET

RM500

This gift set includes:

1 x Empire Rose of your colour choice 

1 x Sunny Hill of your colour choice 

1 x Peek A Boo of your colour choice 

1 x SS white dust bag

Valentine’s Day is also just around the corner. Having any special parties? Bring out the glamor in you with these pieces from the Showgirl collection.

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Sereni and Shentel Showgirl Kuching Cat

SHOWGIRL: KUCHING CAT

RM135

Rev up your Valentine with some pin-up glamour this Valentine’s season. Take this Sereni & Shentel pin-up inspired headband from dinner to the boudoir and bring out your inner Dita Von Teese. Select from hues of blush, black and vanilla in our popular classics or be daring in our new sequin cat ears and large satin Playboy bunny ear inspired headband. This collection also introduces a set that features a Sereni & Shentel collar and a pair of cuffs to spice up your date night.

Size & Fit: Headband thickness is 25mm at the top. Bow width is 185mm. Made from Grosgrain ribbon and Acrylic stones. Headband has Sereni & Shentel 24K Gold Plated trademarked charm.

Sereni and Shentel Showgirl Pussy Cat

SHOWGIRL: PUSSY CAT

RM207

Maybe you prefer subtle yet stylish head pieces, you can opt for the mini styles that come in fab colors:

BLOCK PARTY MINI

RM78

Rock your block with a pop of colour in this mini version. Smaller than the Block Party, the headband measures 25mm in width. More colours available. Size & Fit: Headband thickness is 10mm at the top. Bow is 27mm wide. Made from Sparkle/Metallic/Grosgrain ribbon. Headband has Sereni & Shentel 24K Gold Plated trademarked charm.

Another endearing fact about Sereni & Shentel is they have collections for babies and kids! What a genius way to make the little ones more posh and even more adorable with these headpieces!

Headpieces for babies!

Lovely headbands for girls!

Ordering online is easy. Several payment options are accepted: PayPal, credit card, online banking and direct bank transfer. And, yes, Sereni and Shentel offers free delivery to all orders made within Malaysia. It will roughly take 10 business days to receive your order, as all items are handmade.

So what should we expect from delivery of Sereni and Shentel headbands?

Headbands have the legally trademarked 24 carat gold plated or rhodium Kuching Cat charm, and security tagged. This is a sure way of telling if you have bought a genuine Sereni & Shentel product.
Headbands come together with cream and gold pouches packed in signature yellow and gold Sereni & Shentel box.
It is important that you register your accurate phone number when you check out as the courier company will call you when they make delivery.

International shipping rates are based on weight and is calculated at checkout. They only ship with FEDEX for International orders. If you have shipping enquires, send an email to info@sereniandshentel.com

Shop this CNY season and get a set of limited edition Sereni and Shentel ang pow packets with minimum purchase of RM100, while stocks last.

Enjoy 15% OFF on online orders until 31st Jan 2014 (excluding gift sets and sale items), just key-in NEWYEAR upon checkout.

I haven’t made an order yet but I’m definitely thrilled by this brand! I’m still taking some time to go through the collections and designs; I can’t make up my mind!

About Sereni & Shentel

Sereni & Shentel was founded by best friends Sereni Linggi and Shentel Lee in 2009. Shentel is a graphic designer and Sereni is a Mall Manager with a Property Management company. They are a perfect marriage of creativity and practicality.

The brand was founded in 2009, spurred on by a wardrobe crisis. Excited to be attending a Lady Gaga concert in Singapore in October 2009, Sereni and Shentel thought it was only fitting to make an effort to dress up a little out of the ordinary – an homage to the Lady herself.

The girls jumped online in search of appropriate headgear and found Gaga-esque moulded hair bow headbands to wear to the concert.

When the parcel arrived and the girls excitedly plucked them out of the box, they discovered that the headbands were so poorly constructed that they literally fell apart within minutes. Devastated and only hours to go before they had to depart, they decided to salvage the situation and create their own version of the Gaga bow using ribbon and rhinestones.

Sereni & Shentel headbands are handmade headbands made in Borneo by a team of artisans with a love for head turning and whimsical hair accessories. The headbands range from hand stitched bejeweled pieces to pearl encrusted bridal tiaras to demure Lolita-esque bows.

Sereni & Shentel is all about decoration without explanation. It is about having fun and a laugh with your look and injecting individuality into any fashion situation. The pieces are conversation starters; they are not dull or discreet. Eye catching, memorable and mad with a bit of humour is what the label is all about.

Choose from a wide range of headbands for adults, children and babies for any occasion ranging from Hen’s Veils for the bride-to-be, rhinestone encrusted party hats for the birthday girl to elaborate yet comfortable baby bands for baptisms.

Sereni & Shentel also offer custom headbands and have an interactive online application that allows customers to customize their headbands based on their popular Blair and Block Party styles.

For more info, collections and online shopping, visit

www.sereniandshentel.com

You may even request for a Look Book by filling up the form on their home page.

Connect to Sereni & Shentel Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/sereniandshentel

Up Close and Personal with Be Green Bebe founder Caryn Lim

Posted on January 5, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

This past decade, we’ve observed a surge in popularity of organic products that range from food to cosmetics to clothes. And with more and more celebrities going ‘green’ or organic for the health of their kids, it’s no surprise that organic products are becoming even more popular these days.

But going ‘green’ is more than just a fad; when it comes to clothing, organic products play an important role in making life better for babies and children, especially those with unique conditions.

Did you know that most people suffering from skin allergies and sensitive skin can wear organic fabrics with little or no side effects? “Most people suffering from skin dermatological conditions can comfortably wear garments made from organic fibers such as organic cotton or bamboo. Depending on your level of skin sensitivity, you may need to wear hypoallergenic, dye-free clothing. Bamboo Fabric is naturally antimicrobial, and will not harm those with skin sensitivities. No chemicals have been added to achieve this value added benefit.” (source: www.babyclothes.about.com)

Be Green Bebe – eco friendly wear for babies and children

Good news for parents in Malaysia; you now have access to good quality organic clothing, and what’s even better, it’s easy with a click of your fingertips!

Caryn Lim, founder of Be Green Bebe at www.begreenbebe.com, has returned home to Malaysia from years abroad in London and realized there was a lack of chic and organic children’s wear in Malaysia. She wanted to introduce a range of clothing that was both sustainable and stylish, whilst remaining practical and most importantly comfortable for babies and kids.

I was very curious about the concept behind this brand and I was lucky to have some small talk with this remarkable lady. I asked Ms. Caryn Lim a few questions about Be Green Bebe:

Caryn Lim, founder of Be Green Bebe

1) At what age did you decide to set up your own business? How long did it take for you to create Be Green Bebe?

I have always wanted to start my own business and after leaving my full-time job in finance, I felt ready to try something different. The concept behind Be Green Bebe took a year to conceive. I liked the idea of a multi-label boutique as I like mixing and matching fashion and during that period, I attended numerous children’s trade fairs abroad, met with suppliers and worked closely with a designer to develop our brand and website.

2) What or who was your inspiration in launching an eco-friendly clothing shop?

When my goddaughter was born, I spent plenty of time hunting down the most adorable outfits and accessories. Along the way I discovered organic children’s clothing and learnt about its benefits, in that it is extremely soft, breathable and hypoallergenic. I found that there is a lack of chic and organic children’s wear easily accessible to all in one place and hence started my search for the best in kids fashion that is both sustainable and stylish, whilst remaining practical and most importantly, comfortable.

3) Do you travel a lot? Do you personally inspect the clothes or do you have a team who closely works with you?

I do like to personally inspect the clothes and have handpicked the entire first collection. Going forward, this may not always be practical to travel to the US and UK but I have no doubt as to the quality of the clothing as I choose the designs myself and they are all certified organic.

be-green-bebe-organic-clothing-price-malaysia

Be Green Bebe items are personally selected by Caryn Lim

4) Do you also advocate for organic diet?

I was brought up in a household that advocates a healthy lifestyle, of which an organic diet is a huge part. It isn’t always realistic or easy to eat organic all the time, but a little organic is better than none at all!

5) What challenges are you facing now in promoting Be Green Bebe to Malaysians? Are they easily convinced of organic clothing?

The response from Malaysian mums has been great so far. Organic clothing is much more popular in the West than in Asia but it is interesting to see that many young mothers are increasingly aware of organic products and are pleasantly surprised to find out that organic clothing actually offer comparable prices and value to that of the non-organic variety.

Be Green Bebe school bags

6) Are most of your customers local? Expatriates? Celebrities?

Most of my customers are local Malaysian mums.

7) What can we expect from Be Green Bebe in the next few months? Will there be new products, styles, etc.?

I want to grow Be Green Bebe into an iconic lifestyle brand, which is the go-to destination for stylish organic clothing and accessories in Asia. We are bringing in new products all the time, and with Spring/Summer 2014 being shipped this January, there are lots to look forward to!

Be Green Bebe bags are great gift ideas!

GREAT NEWS!
For mothers, expecting mothers or mums-to-be, Be Green Bebe will be at the 7th Maternity and Children Expo in Mid Valley Exhibition Centre from the 24th to the 26th of January 2013 and will be at booth 209!

Be Green Bebe carries several trusted brands from around the world. All a genius and unique in its own design field, these brands ensure that our children get the comfort they deserve while taking advantage of the organic properties of their clothing. Here are some of the brands from Be Green Bebe:

Aravore 

Winner of Walpole “British Luxury Brands of Tomorrow” 2012, Aravore combines soft, dreamy colours with simple shapes and extraordinary detailing – all of which have become their trademark. Stunning additions like lace and piping, elegant cuts, hand-picked trims and peter pan collars help to achieve a luxurious look with a vintage feel that is modern and very wearable.

Why you’ll love Aravore: Handcrafted, understated luxury with beautiful detailing for a contemporary-retro look

Babysoy 

Babysoy’s baby layette line is designed by designer/mom, Amy and approved by daughter Harper, who refers to Babysoy as her “comfy clothes”. Using simple and fresh designs, Babysoy has created a sustainable and modern baby wardrobe for eco-babies without sacrificing comfort or style. All products are made of soybean protein fiber (Azlon) and other eco-friendly fibres such as organic cotton and rayon from bamboo.   

Why you’ll love Babysoy: Classic simplicity at its best

Broken Tricycle 

Broken Tricycle was created by Patricia Murphy in 2010, a designer with 16 years experience in babywear. Combining her experiences as a designer and mother, she has created a beautifully designed range of modern babywear essentials which hint at innocence and nostalgia.

Why you’ll love Broken Tricycle: Comfy, everyday clothing with a twist

Coq en Pâte 

A young French accessory and book publishing house for kids which places ethics at the heart of all creative processes. All products are manufactured in India out of labelled organic cotton (GOTS/Global Organic Textile Standard) and communicate a poetic, fun and educational message in their creations.

Why you’ll love Coq en Pâte: Fun, graphic animal prints and bright colours

Indikidual 

Indikidual is a unisex capsule collection for all kids aged 3 months to 7 years. The range allows for layering and encourages mixing and matching to create individual looks and styles. All garments are made using organic cotton and are designed to be practical and comfy as well as fashionable and expressive.  

Why you’ll love Indikidual: Quirky, cool style for fashionistas  

Kate Quinn Organics 

Kate Quinn Organics was launched in July 2006. Featuring stylish apparel made from the finest 100% certified organic fabrics, the company strives to care for the earth and its community without sacrificing fun and style.  

Why you’ll love Kate Quinn Organics: Elegant lines and fresh, nature-inspired colours  

Kickee Pants 

KicKee Pants is a family run company based in US, with fabrications and styles based on the idea that children should feel unrestricted by their clothing, even when they are dressed up, and that apparel for little ones should celebrate the innocence of childhood. The super-soft casual clothing line with a strong celebrity following is made with eco-friendly, sustainable bamboo.  

Why you’ll love Kickee Pants: Super-soft designs which are easily mixed and matched  

La Queue Du Chat 

Pretty, fun and cuddly-soft, this line of clothes from the French fair-trade and organic label La Queue du Chat (“The Cat’s Tail” in French) aims to be both beautiful and ethical. Since its foundation in 2005, the vibrant and cutie-pie brand is just that: good for the Earth, sensitive to the wellbeing of the cotton farmers, and tender on the sensitive skin of the babies who will wear it. Only pure Organic Cotton, grown without the use of pesticide or chemicals is used in the production of the brand’s range. All cotton products are made from 100% organic cotton certified GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).  

Why you’ll love La Queue Du Chat: Their signature drawings of strange animals, vibrant colours and whimsical prints  

Mini Rodini 

Founded in 2005 by Swedish illustrator Cassandra Rhodin, Mini Rodini designs fashionable, modern, high-quality organic cotton clothing with a playful and fun twist to them, for both babies and children. With sustainability and quality in focus, Mini Rodini creates clothes that modern and conscientious parents want to dress their kids in, and that kids love to wear.  

Why you’ll love Mini Rodini: Quirky graphic prints and quintessential Swedish style  

Old Rectory 

Founded in 2010 by sisters Joanna and Stephanie Sloan in Ireland, the range was borne by their passion for vibrant prints and a desire to deliver to parents’ clothes that are kind to children and to our environment.  

Why you’ll love Old Rectory: Vintage-inspired prints reminiscent of a British countryside  

Organic for kids 

Organics for Kids was founded by Jane Shepherd in 2004, based on a lifelong passion for textiles and a deep interest in environmental solutions. Several years and a lot of hard work later, the range has taken on a life of its own, combining the finest and softest organic cotton with unique but classic designs and a serious attention to detail at every stage of production.   

Why you’ll love Organic for kids: Classic and contemporary style  

Piccalilly 

Piccalilly was founded in 2006, when Hannah Evans found a gap in the market for stylish organic children’s clothing, after having her second child. Piccalilly has created a new generation of ethical clothing, by merging adorable designs with Fairtrade certified organic cotton and low impact environmentally friendly dyes.   

Why you’ll love Piccalilly: Bright colours, funky prints, cute knits and gorgeous shapes  

Purebaby 

Purebaby is an Australian owned fashion label creating unique, organic clothing for babies and children. Established in 2002, Purebaby was born out of a desire for beautiful and simple products made with awareness and care.  

Why you’ll love Purebaby: Clean lines with beautiful detailing  

Rosy Cheek Cosy 

Founded by Tess Lambert, Rosy Cheek Cosy specialises in stylish and natural comfort blankets and baby gifts – all lovingly designed and made in Bath, England.  

Why you’ll love Rosy Cheek Cosy: Soft and snuggly gift options

(Find out more about what Be Green Bebe has in store through my post, click HERE)

For more information, visit Be Green Bebe at

Website: www.begreenbebe.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/begreenbebemalaysia

Email: info@begreenbebe.com

Benefit Beauty Bash with Butterfly Project

Posted on January 4, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Happy New Year! It’s the beginning of 2014 and I had to keep reminding myself to write ‘4’ instead of ‘3’ on dates. Lucky I use an erasable pen.

I wouldn’t let this month pass by without sharing a post about one of the most fun beauty event I’ve attended as a butterfly with the Butterfly Project. Last month, me and other gorgeous butterflies had a chance to discover tips and tricks for applying make-up in a few minutes. Benefit Cosmetics Malaysia at Starhill (that’s on a floor above Sephora Starhill) held a gathering for beauty bloggers who are simply in love with Benefit.

benefit-cosmetics-malaysia-makeup-display

Lovely Benefit make-up collection and pretty pink balloons

I haven’t tried a lot of Benefit products yet but I personally love POREfessional. It’s a great quick fix for my huge pores! (Check my review on POREfessional, click HERE)

benefit-cosmetics-malaysia-porefessional

Benefit POREfessional, my hero product!

The Benefit Beauty Bash was such a wonderful start for a great Saturday morning. Sweet, pink balloons adorned the shop, which gave an immediate feel of something wonderful for the day. I was the first blogger to arrive so I didn’t waste time by taking photos of the pretty set-up.

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Benefit boutique at Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang

Pink balloons scattered on the floor!

Benefit loves Sephora balloon

One by one, fellow gorgeous bloggers arrived. It was great seeing and meeting all or most of them. A few of the girls I finally met in person were Shivani Balraj, Sabby Prue (Sabrina Azmi), Innanie Ariffin, Wiida Ribbon, Ayna Jalal and more (so sorry if I missed the name of some). Everyone was wonderful and I really enjoy attending events with the Butterfly Project because everyone is simply friendly and approachable. Kudos to our good friend, leader and mother, Ms. Tammy Lim.

Here are the girls having fun chitchat while waiting for the others to arrive…

Beauty bloggers having fun at Benefit boutique

Check out the pink-themed snacks and drinks for that day…

Benefit Cosmetics pink-themed snacks for the day

The event started with an introduction from James of Benefit Cosmetics Malaysia. He gave a very good tutorial on how to complete a make-up look in a few minutes; I’d say around 15.

Benefit Cosmetics quick makeup demo

Pretty Sabby Prue was the make-up model for the day. James did a really good job in transforming her eye into an even more captivating one. Sabby already has a naturally beautiful pair of eyes but with James’s makeup technique (here seen on one eye first), Sabby’s eyes became more gorgeous and perfect for going out or for an event.

benefit-beauty-bash-before-and-after-makeup

Left eye transformed by Benefit Cosmetics

After the tutorial from James, we were challenged to do our own make-up look using any of the Benefit products displayed in the boutique. It was fun looking around and trying different products! The activity was also a contest wherein we need to post our before and after shots to Instagram with tag to Benefit Cosmetics.

Here are my top picks for my own make-up look…

My top Benefit picks for my look!

And here is my before and after look…

Before and After applying Benefit Cosmetics

There are so many interesting products but I didn’t have much time. One of the most useful and practical products I noticed was the set collection. Each set contains several items that are perfect companions for make-up. And the sets come with a tips and tricks booklet attached to the box cover. Cool and genius!

benefit-cosmetics-beauty-bash-makeup-set

Benefit make-up set: How to Look the Best at Everything

The contest time finished and Benefit Cosmetics Malaysia announced the lucky winner! (Sorry, I didn’t catch the pretty blogger’s name, if anyone would be so kind to comment her name that would be so great)

beauty-bash-benefit-cosmetics-blogger-winner

And the tall, pretty blogger won the contest!

This was such an enjoyable event with the bloggers and the Benefit Cosmetics team!

Me with the Benefit Cosmetics Malaysia team

(Check my post about Benefit Holiday Look, click HERE)

Stay connected with Benefit Cosmetics, visit their FB page at:

http://www.facebook.com/BenefitCosmeticsMalaysia

Follow Benefit Cosmetics Malaysia on Instagram via:

BenefitCosmeticsMY

Or visit Benefit boutiques at:

1 Utama Shopping Centre

Starhill

Or visit a Benefit counter in:

Parkson KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, Pavilion, Gurney Plaza

Robinsons The Gardens

Sephora Starhill, KLCC, Paradigm Mall

Metrojaya Mid Valley

Colours & Fragrances, KLIA

Stride Rite Shoes for Babies & Kids

Posted on December 31, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

I love shoes! Who doesn’t, right? As much as I enjoy shopping shoes for myself, I definitely enjoy shopping shoes for my son! I was addicted to my son’s feet since he was a newborn and I admit that I am still nibbling his feet every single day. No day passes by without me spending a few seconds or minutes playing with his feet.

Naturally, my shoe shopping for my son takes as long as shopping a pair for myself, even longer. I’m very particular with the appearance, colors, materials and comfort. I also look for shoe types that will be easy to clean. My son used to vomit a lot; well, he still vomits occasionally while traveling and the shoes are easy targets for vomit stains.

I look for materials that look durable. Kids my son’s age (he’s 4 years old now) run a lot and, unlike us adults, they don’t really care whether their nice shoes get messed up or not. It takes a certain age to be conscious of that. So if the material doesn’t last long enough, your child will only be able to wear those pair of shoes for a few times.

Most important for me in buying shoes for my child is comfort. He must be comfortable and happy to wear his shoes, just like adults should. If he’s not comfortable, he’ll be fidgeting and taking it off frequently.

I first heard of Stride Rite in Malaysia in 2011 and was delighted to learn that this brand has reached the country. Since having a child in 2009, I’ve begun to be fascinated by those cuddly, adorable, tiny shoes. Being a baby foot addict, I want nice, good shoes for my son’s feet.

It’s very interesting how a shoe brand puts significant importance to children’s feet. Did you know that Stride Rite has been around for more than 90 years? It was founded in Massachusetts, United States. Only Stride Rite has introduced a first walking shoe that is clinically proven to reduce the number of stumbles and falls when learning to walk. Until now, it continues to provide shoes that were specifically made with an in-depth knowledge of how children walk.

Stride Rite: Rite Steps System

I admittedly don’t know much about the science of children’s feet. Maybe I didn’t explore or try to understand more about them. But here are some interesting facts from Stride Rite that are worth taking note of:

Bones are not fully formed in a child’s foot until age 5. While the foot is still developing, the cartilage can be easily influenced by ill-fitting footwear.
Babies’ feet do not have arches. Arches do not start to develop until 2 years old.
The 52 bones in the human feet make up one quarter of all the bones in the human body.
Babies’ feet perspire two times more than adults, so always look for breathable materials such as leather and mesh or anti-microbial linings.
The heel is the one bone in the foot that helps to balance baby’s entire body.
Similar to your body, your feet are still growing into your late teen years. So your tenth pair of shoes is just as important as your very first.

And did you know that you should never hand-down baby shoes from one child to another? According to Stride Rite, baby shoes, especially shoes made of leather form to a child’s foot once they are worn for a while. A person’s gait is much like their fingerprint; it is unique to them. If a child wears hand-me-down shoes, his or her walking pattern may be affected since his or her feet are now trying to form to the gait of another child. (Of course, this shouldn’t stop us from donating shoes in good condition to the needy. A worn pair of shoes is still better than no shoes at all. So please do save your old shoes for people who have none.)

Stride Rite has very adorable collections for ages 0 to 10, both boys and girls. Check out these wonderful, cute shoes!

Stride Rite Cars/ McQueen shoes – RM159

Stride Rite shoes for baby girl – RM149

Stride Rite has Princess collection shoes for the little princesses, too!

I finally got to buy Stride Rite shoes for my son. I bought 2 pairs of blue shoes that can be worn for school and for going out. My son loves blue and he personally chose these pairs. 1 pair is open-toed, which is great for long travels. The 2^nd pair is closed shoes but is designed to allow his feet to breathe and comes in breathable mesh, too. Both pairs can be washed easily and since they have dark blue color, I think I wouldn’t have much challenge in cleaning and maintaining them.

Stride Rite closed shoes in breathable design and material

Stride Rite open toe shoes for boys

When I purchased these 2 pairs, I also got entitled to be part of Kidea – Stride Rite’s new membership programme, which gives members/kids a lot of privileges to watch out for. Any purchase of RM80 or above allows you to be a member of Kidea for free.

Stride Rite Kidea Rewards Program

See this cute package of the membership cards and booklet in a nice blue folder with their signature Kidea icon. Let me try and see how this Kidea programme works for me and my son, then I’ll share more about it in the near future (that is if I’m satisfied, haha!).

Stride Rite Kidea Rewards Program cards

So now my son is looking forward to wear his new shoes! Just like mommy, he also loves nice, comfortable footwear!

About Stride Rite

Stride Rite’s rich, deep heritage is found in every shoe. Nowhere is this more evident than in The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) grant of its Seal of Acceptance to several styles of Stride Rite’s baby shoes, the first baby shoes in the industry to carry the Seal.   Throughout the 70s, Stride Rite maintained the position as the leading manufacturer of quality children’s footwear. The company saw significant changes taking place in the shoe industry and found a new opportunity for growth. In 1972, Stride Rite opened its first company-owned retail bootery, bringing more than 60 years of experience and expertise in children’s shoes to the public.   Stride Rite has remained committed to providing the best fitting shoes for children. The entire collection, every single shoe, is created from an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how children walk and grow. Stride Rite studies have led to important breakthroughs and new technologies in children’s footwear.   So whether children are taking their first steps or are off and running, Stride Rite understands the significance of every step and will continue to innovate and provide the most advanced children’s footwear.

You can visit their website at http://www.striderite.com.myfor more information.

Or better yet, get connected to Stride Rite’s Facebook page at

http://www.facebook.com/strideritemy

Find shoes for your kids at these Stride Rite Outlets in Malaysia

Suria KLCC

Address: Lot C 202, Level 2, Jalan Ampang 50088, Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Tel: (60) 03 2788 0738

Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays and Public Holidays:

10:00am – 10:00pm

1 Utama Shopping Centre

Address: S139, 2nd Floor, Lebun Bandar Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama 47800

Tel: (60) 03 7722 5818

Business Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 10:00am – 10:00pm

Fridays and Saturdays:

10:00am – 10:30pm

Bangsar Village

Address: F9b, 1st Floor, No. 1 Jalan Telawi Satu, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: (60) 03 2282 3975

Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays and Public Holidays:

10:00am – 10:00pm

Paradigm Mall

Address: Lot 1F-27, First Floor, No. 1 Jalan SS7/26A, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: (60) 03 7887 5638

Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays and Public Holidays:

10:00am – 10:00pm

Empire Shopping Gallery

Address: F27, First Floor, Jalan SS16/1, Subang Jaya

Tel: (60) 03 5631 6771

Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays and Public Holidays:

10:00am – 10:00pm

Johor Premium Outlets

Address: Jalan Premium Outlets, Indahpura, 81000 Kulaijaya, Johor Darul Takzim

Unit No.: Suite No. 825

Tel: (60) 07 670 8037

Business Hours:

Mondays to Sundays and Public Holidays: 10:00am – 10:00pm

Find a Home Tutor Near You in Just a Few Clicks!

Posted on December 28, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

Time for school again!

Year-End holidays are almost over and it’s back to school soon for our kids! Some may be excited about it while some are dreading facing home work, exams, waking up early, and, of course, massive traffic jam that’s worse than what we faced this December. For us, parents, it’s that time again when we need to help the young ones with home work or find a good tutor to guide them.

Education is the greatest treasure we can give to our children and even if we are paying good schools for their education, it is still important to have someone who will pay attention to their progress on a more personal level. If you’re a working parent and your job is too demanding, it can be a tough challenge for you to really monitor the progress of your child and teach them everyday. And, seriously, do you still remember those kinder or grade school subjects? I shiver at the thought of trying to teach my son his Chinese lessons. Being a foreigner in Malaysia with no basic understanding of Chinese or Malay, I am definitely incapable of guiding my son on a lot of subjects. Help!

Good news for parents and tutors as well! Technology has caught up with our needs. To parents, what if you can find a tutor around your preferred location within a few clicks on your notebook, tablet or phone? Now, you can easily search for the right tutor online. The most established and user friendly website for home tuition industry in Malaysia, www.hometuitionjob.com, gives you easy access to tutors who can help your child in their studies and development.

Home Tuition Job matches tutors based on your needs

www.hometuitionjob.com provides you with choices for potential tutors and is very simple to use. When you visit the website, you will be welcomed by a photo stream of tutors who have registered their credentials and details with Home Tuition Job.

Home Tuition Job Malaysia homepage

When you click on ‘Find Tutor’, you’ll see the entire list of tutors for you to choose from. Most tutors post their real photos while some might place other icons. It depends on you as a parent if appearance is something that you consider important in finding a tutor. Personally, I would prefer to know how the tutor would look like so I know exactly whom my child will be studying with. Not that I will judge by his or her looks but I would prefer someone who’s honest/ confident enough to show his/ her real face on the website.

Find Tutor page – where you’ll see potential tutors

When you click on a tutor you find interesting, you will see the full profile showing his or her credentials: full name, location, age, qualifications, tutor fee, level as a tutor and more. The details are quite sufficient to make a good judgment.

You can see the tutor’s credentials and choose to HIRE the tutor

Wouldn’t it be great if you can find someone nearby your area? It’s easy with www.hometuitionjob.com! You have the option to filter available tutors within several distance options. This makes your search more efficient and avoids wasting time on talking to tutors who might be too far away from your place.

Home Tuition Job lets you filter your search by distance

It’s free to request for a tutor and it’s very simple. Once you’ve chosen a tutor, you just need to click to hire and it will bring you to a request form. Simply fill-up the details so Home Tuition Job can check and match based on your needs.

Now that’s great technology at your fingertips and on the go! Don’t let your kids face homework and studies alone if you barely have time to guide them. Hire a tutor now and make studying more fun for your kids!

If you are a tutor in Malaysia or if you think you have what it takes to be one, join www.hometuitionjob.comcommunity as a tutor and let the jobs find you! For more details, you can check out my post for tutors HERE.

Home Tuition Job has recently expanded to India home tuition industry, making tutors more accessible to parents in a few clicks. Indians can even find tutors in Bangalore. For more information, log on to www.hometuitionjob.inor connect to Home Tuition Job India via http://www.facebook.com/hometuitionjobindia

Tutors Can Now Find Jobs Easily!

Posted on December 28, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

home-tuition-job-students-tutors-teachers

Are you a tutor in Malaysia? Or do you think you have what it takes to be one? Here’s good news for you!

Home Tuition Job via www.hometuitionjob.commakes finding students and jobs easier for you with just a few clicks. And best of all, it’s FREE!

Tutor-Hunters find Teachers via http://www.hometuitionjob.com

Think of it as a job street specifically made for tutors. You get to advertise your credentials to tutor-hunters and you become part of a tutor-student-parent community. It increases your chances of finding a suitable job as a tutor/ teacher because the site caters to this targeted market. Isn’t that great and cool?

Find tutor jobs easily

You don’t necessarily have to be a professional tutor or teacher by practice. Even students can take part, too! Some parents who have pre-school or kindergarten children also need help in guiding their kids to write the alphabet, learn numbers, paint, color and other simpler lessons such as learning language basics of Chinese, Malay or English. I would personally need a tutor for my 4-year-old son soon as I am a foreigner in the country who doesn’t know Malay or Chinese. For students who want to earn extra income, being a home tutor is a great option and is a fun way to share your knowledge and skills to younger students!

Don’t waste your skills; make money out of it!

How do you get started as a tutor at Home Tuition Job? Simply log on to www.hometuitionjob.com and click ‘For Tutors/Teachers (We Help You Get Jobs)’.

home-tuition-job-register-as-teacher-tutor

Registration for Tutors/ Teachers is FREE

Go through the Registration Form, which is completely FREE! Here you will create an account. The great thing is you have the option to sign-in with Facebook. Don’t you just hate creating too many accounts and having to remember passwords? With the Facebook sign-in, you have easier access and account registration.

Take note, when I wrote this post, Home Tuition Job has already helped tutors earn more than RM2,000,000. Imagine if you can take a percentage from this by just spending a few hours of your time every week to help a student finish his homework.

Once you’ve created your account and specified your relevant details, parents/ students can easily find you via www.hometuitionjob.com. Your profile visible to public will look like this:

Tutor/ Teacher Profile

And if you need good pointers to improve how you write your profile, you can check out the support page where Home Tuition Job provides articles to help you in finding the right job and, of course, earning good income from tutor jobs!

This website is a brilliant idea to serve the needs of parents, teachers, tutors and students. But just an advice for tutors, be cautious and careful of potential jobs, as there are still a lot of possibilities where bad/ evil people can take advantage of you. I’m sure you’ve heard of news where there were job ads and interviews that led to mishaps, especially for the ladies. There are a lot of things that we cannot foresee or control, so just a word of advice: be careful. If you were asked to meet a client for interview or meet-up, always make sure that it’s at a neutral place. If you were invited to a house, make sure somebody comes along with you and maybe wait for you outside while you’re meeting the client. Best is to meet the client at a coffee shop or at their condo’s clubhouse. For the parents or clients, be wary of whom you invite to your house, especially if you’re alone. If I were to meet a potential tutor, I’d probably meet him or her outside and not in my house just yet.

Home Tuition Job is a great service where as a tutor/teacher, parents/ students with specific needs that can be solved by your skills find you. When writing your profile, it is best to identify your key strengths and subjects your good at. Don’t forget arts and creative skills. Some parents might be looking for these skills for their child’s development.

If you have creative skills, don’t forget to add them on your profile

So if you’re a tutor or teacher or you have what it takes to be one, visit www.hometuitionjob.com now and start marketing your service. Don’t waste your time and skills; make money out of it. And it will even be a rewarding experience to help a student succeed in school!

If you’re a parent or student looking for a home tutor, find out more about how it works through my post by clicking HERE.

Aesop Skincare and Body Care Sets for the Holidays

Posted on December 19, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

It’s always fascinating to encounter a skincare brand that puts a great deal of importance on antioxidants. Being acquainted with the amazing science of how antioxidants directly affect the health of our skin in my brand management experience, I award respect and value to products with antioxidant properties.

Aesop, properly written as Aēsop (but for easier typing and for search engine purposes, I’ll stick to normal alphabet), has products ranging from skincare, body care, hair care, fragrance, gift sets to home products. When I first visited an Aesop counter last year, what captivated me the most was the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner. It’s a toner that soothes, balances and evens the appearance of the skin without causing dryness or damage, and prepares it for hydration. I find it interesting due to the parsley seed main ingredient, which is known for stimulation of production of collagen. It also contains high amounts of Vitamin C, which may nourish the skin to reduce fine lines, scars, blemishes, and even reduce pore size. PORE SIZE.

But this is the season of giving! For this holiday season, Aesop has launched 6 amazing collections in combinations of skin care & body care, including a set made for men, too!

Aesop’s fascination with the arts has this year inspired a series of seasonal gift kits focused on the Italian Futurist movement of the early twentieth century.

Initiated by F.T. Marinetti in 1909, the movement spurned tradition and passionately embraced the technological innovations of the machine age. It spanned the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, design, literature, theatre, music and food, aiming to modernize Italian culture comprehensively; and it contributed significantly to the evolution of modern art. In referencing the Futurists, Aesop celebrates their rebelliousness, inventiveness, and unabashed eccentricity.

The six gift kits are presented in sleek, elegant tin boxes, featuring titles and designs that pay homage to groundbreaking Futurist language, art and typography. The contents vary from a convenient set of men’s grooming essentials to a comprehensive hand and body care ensemble, to a trio of full-sized products from Aesop’s anti-oxidant Parsley Seed Skin Care range. An artfully constructed brochure that folds in various configurations accommodates and protects each product, and provides summary details on the movement and its guiding proponents.

A Futurist Assembly is available at all Aesop signature stores and counters in fine department stores across the globe.

Aesop Gift Set No.1:

Agility / Forma Agile – three efficacious staples for care of the body and lips

Aesop Agility Set: RM185

Aesop Agility Set comes in a sleek tin box

Agility is named for the dynamic forms of Futurist sculpture. It presents a trio of products especially suited to use when travelling as well as everyday grooming – low-foaming Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser for gentle, thorough cleansing; Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm to provide readily absorbed moisture for the hands and cuticles; and Rosehip Seed Lip Cream to hydrate and nourish the lips.

AGILITY CONTAINS

Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 200mL

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 75 mL

Rosehip Seed Lip Cream 6mL

Price: MYR185.00

Aesop Gift Set No.2:

Alacrity / Alacrita’ Espressiva – an efficacious Classic Skin Care quartet for all skin types

Aesop Alacrity Set: RM490

Aesop Alacrity Set comes in a sleek tin box

Alacrity is intended as a tribute to the innovations of Futurist theatre. It offers four highly compatible products from Aesop’s Classic Skin Care range – Fabulous Face Cleanser to remove grime and makeup thoroughly without drying the skin, Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste for deep cleansing and mild exfoliation that leaves the skin meticulously clean and smooth, B & T Balancing Toner to soothe and balance, and Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream to hydrate and soften the skin without leaving shine or residue.

ALACRITY CONTAINS

Fabulous Face Cleanser 200mL

B & Tea Balancing Toner 100mL

Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream 60mL

Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste 75mL

Price: MYR490.00

Aesop Gift Set No.3:

Sonority / Vibrazione Sonora – hand and body care of the highest order

Aesop Sonority Set: RM365

Aesop Sonority Set comes in a sleek tin box

Sonority celebrates the idiosyncrasies of Futurist music. This quartet of much-loved Aesop products is formulated especially to nurture the hands and body. Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash gently cleanses without drying the skin, and fragrant Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm helps maintain soft, hydrated hands throughout the day; in bath or shower, mild, low-foaming Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser removes impurities and refreshes the skin, while Rind Concentrate Body Balm refreshes, nourishes and moisturizes.

SONORITY CONTAINS

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash 500mL

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 75mL

Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 200mL 

Rind Concentrate Body Balm 120mL

Price: MYR365.00

Aesop Gift Set No.4:

Intensity / Pittura Intensa – a trio of bathroom essentials for meticulous men

Aesop Intensity Set: RM300

Aesop Intensity Set comes in a sleek tin box

Intensity is inspired by the vibrant paintings of the movement. Created with the active gentleman in mind, it offers a trio of formulations ideal for post-workout purification – Moroccan Neroli Post- Shave Lotion to soothe, nourish and moisturise; Déodorant to neutralise underarm odour and provide an appealing Vetiver scent; and low-foaming, invigorating Coriander Seed Body Cleanser to cleanse and refresh the skin.

INTENSITY CONTAINS

Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion 60mL

Déodorant 50mL 

Coriander Seed Body Cleanser 200mL

Price: MYR300.00

Aesop Gift Set No.5 (my personal choice!):

Potency / Struttura Potente – a trio of Parsley Seed Skin Care fundamentals

Aesop Potency Set: RM520

Aesop Potency Set comes in a sleek tin box

Potency pays respects to the Futurists’ ideas on architecture. Its structured offer comprises three products from Aesop’s Parsley Seed Skin Care range; each product contains Parsley Seed extract, an ingredient rich in anti-oxidants that help protect the skin against cell damage caused by environmental and internal factors.

The trio includes gel-based Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, which gently removes surface impurities and offers mild chemical exfoliation to smooth the skin, Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner to soothe and balance, and rich yet lightweight Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator to soften, hydrate and fortify the skin.

POTENCY CONTAINS

Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser 200mL 

Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner 200mL

Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator 60mL

Price: MYR520.00

Aesop Gift Set No.6:

Tactility / Gusto Tattile – a complete Geranium Leaf body care regimen

Aesop Tactility Set: RM270

Aesop Tactility Set comes in a sleek tin box

Tactility pays homage to the innovations of Futurist gastronomy. It offers a nurturing trio of Geranium Leaf body care staples – refreshing Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser for gentle, thorough cleansing, Geranium Leaf Body Scrub for aromatic exfoliation, and Geranium Leaf Body Balm to hydrate and nourish the skin.

TACTILITY CONTAINS

Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 200mL

Geranium Leaf Body Scrub 170mL

Geranium Leaf Body Balm 120mL

Price: MYR270.00

You can check out these gift sets at the following Aesop outlets/ counters:

Bangsar Village II

Bangsar Village II Shopping Mall

UG Floor 59100

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2287 5092

Aesop Pavilion
Fashion Avenue, Level 3 Pavilion KL Shopping Mall
No. 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur

More about Aesop…

Aesop was established in Melbourne in 1987 with a quest to create a range of superlative products for the skin, hair and body. We are committed to using both plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients of the highest quality and proven efficacy – particularly those with the greatest anti-oxidant properties.

Aesop values all human endeavors undertaken with intellectual rigor, vision, and a nod to the whimsical. Every Aesop product is made with the same attention to detail we believe should be applied to life at large, taking into consideration a diversity of needs as well as seasonal and environmental conditions.

We advocate the use of our formulations as part of a balanced life that includes a healthy diet, sensible exercise, a moderate intake of red wine, and a regular dose of stimulating literature.

TAKE NOTE: “a moderate intake of red wine”! Now, that’s my kind of balanced life concept!

Get Ready for the Holidays with Benefit Cosmetics!

Posted on December 11, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

‘Tis the season to be jolly…and fabulous! For the month of December, I’m sure we all have several events to attend to. There are annual dinners, Christmas parties, holiday dinners and probably weddings. I, for one, have 3 events to prepare for: our company annual dinner tomorrow, family dinner next weekend and a birthday party plus dinner on Christmas day. Parties everywhere. Are you prepared?

Aside from the presents to shop for and the attire to wear, don’t forget to have THE LOOK! Ever since I stepped into College/ University, I always make sure that my face is part of my presentation. At 16, I’m already wearing eyeliner and lipstick as part of my college look. I probably started with eye shadows at a later age of 21 but, hey, not a bad age to start learning makeup!

I’m not really the type who follows color makeup trends and sticks to those colors for my look. I love smoky eyes, neutrals, purples, greens, blues and metallic hues. But one thing is for sure; I must always blend solid black on my eye makeup. Call it boring or typical but I particularly blend black to have a darker, bigger eyes effect.

And what about this holiday season? I’m not recommending particular colors or a specific look but I’m sharing some tips to be gorgeous for the holidays (and for other occasions)!

HOW TO LOOK GORGEOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (AND BEYOND):

Tip No. 1 – Get your brows trimmed or waxed by experts!

We sometimes overlook the impact of having nicely-shaped eyebrows. I myself am guilty of forgetting my eyebrows. It seems minimal but those 2 lines of hairs adorn our eyes. When not properly cared for, there will be stray hairs around and it messes up the way you look. Overly thick eyebrows can also look quite messy. Inappropriate shape can totally change your look in a not very nice way.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar ready to serve you!

Benefit Cosmetics has been famous for its Brow Service. Even if your eyebrows were as hairy as a gorilla, their experts would know what to do. You just need to proceed to this cute Brow Bar and Benefit’s expert will be working on those hairs! For a reasonable cost of RM42 (brow waxing) or RM45 (brow tweezing), you can have gorgeous brows in no time.

On the Brow Bar table, I noticed this cute booklet, which shows every step of the Brow Service, before and after look. I didn’t realize that there are more than 30 steps to get those perfect eyebrows!

Benefit Brow Service with more than 30 steps

Tip No. 2: Prep your face with the right skincare products.

This should actually be a daily routine to follow for years but I’m writing it here as a reminder. Even if we can have the best makeup available, nothing beats a good canvas to put makeup on…your skin. Cleanse, tone, moisturize are just the basic steps in taking care of our face. Breakouts, pimples, discolorations, wrinkles and fine lines at a younger age can damage the way you look.

Benefit Cosmetics skincare collection

Benefit Cosmetics has a good skincare selection ranging from cleansers, to eye creams, to moisturizers and more. Recently, it has been raining quite frequently and temperature in the office can be quite cold, which can make our skin dry and dehydrated. You can check out Benefit’s Total Moisture Facial Cream and other skincare products to take care of your skin. Don’t forget your eye cream!

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

Tip No. 3: Get a good makeup primer.

Even if you have beautiful skin, it’s great to apply a primer for longer-lasting makeup and conceal some imperfections, too. Benefit’s That Gal, which is one of their best sellers, is a silky pink primer that takes your complexion from dull to darling! Simply blend it on for the look of brighter, smoother skin. Contains light-reflecting pigments to help brighten all skin tones and raspberry & chamomile to soothe skin. Priced at RM115.

Benefit That Gal brightening face primer

I am personally in love with POREfessional, a Benefit best seller, as it conceals my huge pores nicely and evenly. You can quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Just apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals. Priced at RM115.

Benefit POREfessional to minimize the appearance of pores

And do you have problems with eye shadows that don’t stay in place? Creating that unsightly line on your eyelids? Check out Stay Don’t Stray Eye Makeup Primer. A real must-have to combat messy eye shadows, especially for those with oily skin like me.

Benefit STAY Don’t Stray for longer-lasting eye makeup that stays in place!

Tip No. 4: Get a good foundation.

I’m someone who will not get out of the house without applying foundation, except when I’m asked to, like when I attended the Benefit Beauty Bash last Sunday. Although I work hard in having healthy skin, I was not blessed with pore-less face and quite the opposite. My nose, forehead, chin and cheek areas have very visible pores. If those are pockets, I probably don’t need to bring a bag everyday!

Kidding aside, applying good foundation, even on beautiful skin, has its benefit. It creates a luminous, flawless look, making you even more stunning and photo-ready, too!

benefit-cosmetics-hello-flawless-foundation-price

Benefit HELLO Flawless Oxygen Wow

HELLO Flawless Oxygen Wow! by Benefit is a great item to complete your makeup routine. It’s a brightening makeup available in different shades, also contains SPF25, making you sun-protected. And it’s only RM135!

Tip No. 5: Be armed with a good eye makeup set!

The eyes particularly need more attention and items, as these are the windows of our souls! To have a fabulous look for the holidays, arm yourself with good eye shadow colors, at least a black eyeliner, and the right makeup brushes.

Benefit Cosmetics has eye makeup kits that can be a girl’s best friend. It’s very easy to choose as the colors come in lovely combinations. Take this Big Beautiful Eyes set for starters!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes

I’m not a big fan of mascaras because I often experience smudges but this one’s sure to catch your attention. Now, I am thinking about including mascara in my makeup routine.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara

benefit-cosmetics-theyre-real-mascara-display

See the genius display of Benefit They’re Real Mascara

Tip No. 6: Have kissable lips!

This one’s pretty easy and simple for everyone. I’m sure most of us have several colors of lipsticks and several lip balms, too. Don’t forget to complete your look with a nice lip color or lip gloss. If you like multi-functional products, you’ll love Benefit Lollitint!

Benefit Lollitint for lips and cheeks

And lastly, Tip No. 7: Smell amazingly good.

Take your fabulous look to the next level; make your impact stand out and unforgettable by even smelling good! I never noticed this before but Benefit has a lovely collection of EDTs (eau de toilette). I sampled a few and they smell damn great. So add 1 or 2 to your collection and spray some fragrance before your dinner. You’ll be surprised at how much good vibes you’ll get!

Check out this beautiful set of 4 Benefit fragrances. Perfect as a gift and perfect for the season!

Adorable set of fragrances from Benefit

This is how Benefit Cosmetics transformed me that day! Take note, I only applied everything on my own. That’s how easy it is to use Benefit products!

Before and After using Benefit Cosmetics!

To find out more about Benefit Cosmetics, visit their FB page at:

http://www.facebook.com/BenefitCosmeticsMalaysia

Or visit Benefit boutiques at:

1 Utama Shopping Centre

Starhill

Or visit a Benefit counter in:

Parkson KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, Pavilion, Gurney Plaza

Robinsons The Gardens

Sephora Starhill, KLCC, Paradigm Mall

Metrojaya Mid Valley

Colours & Fragrances, KLIA

The iPad Air is already here in Malaysia!

Posted on December 7, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

In case you haven’t noticed, the iPad Air has finally arrived in Malaysia! It was launched last Thursday, 5^th December 2013.

Apple has done it again. It’s really amazing how Apple keeps getting innovative in launching new products. I’ve been eyeing the MacBook Air for quite some time now (this is actually my next target) as I now want my gadget for writing and photo editing to be more ‘mobile-friendly’. I’m happy with my MacBook Pro but it can be heavy to bring around.

Anyway, back to iPad Air. I have an iPad 2 for my son and it can also get heavy to bring around. So if you are the type of person who is very dependent on your iPad to get things done, the iPad Air is perfect!

What to expect from the amazing iPad Air:

All-new design

iPad Air weighs less than half a kilo, and it’s 20 per cent thinner.2 But even though it’s extremely light, it has a refined aluminium unibody enclosure that feels solid and durable in your hand.

9.7-inch Retina display

Photos and videos look incredibly detailed and text is razor sharp on the stunning Retina display, which features over 3.1 million pixels — a million more than an HDTV.

A7 chip

The powerful and power-efficient A7 chip with 64-bit architecture makes everything remarkably responsive — while still delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.

Ultra-fast wireless

Now you can get up to 2x faster Wi-Fi performance using 802.11n with MIMO.4 And the Wi-Fi + Cellular model supports more networks for fast connections the world over.

Powerful apps included

iPad comes with great apps for sending email, browsing the web and making video calls. It also includes apps that let you do amazing things with your photos, movies, music, documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Over 475,000 apps on the App Store

No matter what you love to do, there’s probably an app for that. And because these apps are made specifically for iPad, they take full advantage of its advanced technologies.

What’s the difference in storage sizes?

iPad Air comes in four storage sizes: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. The term “GB” stands for gigabytes. The more gigabytes you have, the more content you can store on your iPad — apps, HD videos, movies, photos, books, magazines, and more. If, for example, you have a large music library or you frequently download HD movies, it’s a good idea to consider an iPad with a larger storage capacity. If you have a relatively small music or photo library or rarely make or buy movies, an iPad with a smaller capacity may be better for you. Of course, over time you will add more content to your iPad, so you’ll want to think about how your storage needs may evolve.

What will you get inside the iPad Air box:

iPad Air

Lightning to USB Cable

12W USB Power Adapter

iOS 7

iOS is even easier to use with features like Control Centre, AirDrop and smarter multitasking. And because it’s designed for iPad, everything not only looks beautiful, it runs beautifully.

Limited warranty

Every iPad Air comes with complimentary telephone technical support for 90 days from your iPad Air purchase date and a one-year limited warranty.

You even have the option to purchase the new iPad Air online at http://store.apple.com/my/ipad and enjoy free shipping on orders above RM250.

As usual, there are 2 colors: Space Grey and Silver (no price difference on color). I’d choose Space Grey…

iPad Air comes in Space Grey and Silver

You have options on sizes and prices for WiFi model: 16GB (RM1599), 32GB (RM1929), 64GB (RM2249) and 128GB (RM2579). If you are the type who stores loads of data, files, videos, photos and software on your iPad, then you might need to consider the bigger sizes. But if you’re like me whose iPad is for entertaining and teaching your child with occasional usage for work, 16GB will do.

Models with WiFi + Cellular are slightly more expensive:

Comparing the iPad Air to my iPad 2:

Main differences of the iPad Air from iPad 2 are the following:

Superb lightness of 135g than iPad 2
Definitely better Retina display and resolution
Thinner dimension, making it easier to slip into a bag or envelope
A7 chip on iPad Air
Better Facetime HD camera and features
iSight camera
Lighting connector which makes iPad Air faster to charge than iPad 2
Nano-Sim vs Micro Sim

The iPad Air will definitely be a great gadget to have and even a wonderful gift for our loved ones. By the way, when you order online, you can add FREE custom engraving to the iPad. Say ‘I love you’ or ‘Thank You’ or ‘Happy Anniversary’ in high-tech style!

For more info, visit http://store.apple.com/myor call 1800-80-6419

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau – Foundation & Concealer, Moisturising, Invisible, Skin-Fusion

Posted on December 5, 2013 by CelesteDeJesus

As I’ve shared before, I’m someone who definitely cannot live without foundation. I don’t even dare to leave the house without it on my face. In the morning before going to work, I normally apply a liquid foundation and in the afternoon, it has become my habit to retouch my face with compact powder foundation and re-apply lipstick, of course. Some might call it vanity but to me it’s part of my personal presentation.

I recently became unsatisfied with a compact powder so I decided to finally unbox my precious Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation compact. I’ve had it last year but never got to try it earlier. Checking the manufacturing date and counting 3 years from that, I am certain that I can still use it, thank goodness! So I happily included it in my vanity kit to work, excited to see if it really does work like ‘lingerie’ on my skin.

guerlain-lingerie-de-peau-foundation-idylle-perfume

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau and Guerlain Idylle Duet

I’m a fan of Guerlain Idylle Duet EDP so this foundation compact is actually my second Guerlain product to review. Don’t they look good together? There’s just something about Guerlain products that make them sexy and elegant.

Anyway, at first I was a bit skeptical, as I haven’t used a cream foundation compact before. Creams tend to be sticky and thick so I was really wondering how a cream foundation could work like second skin as Guerlain promises.

guerlain-lingerie-de-peau-foundation-pouch

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau with black velvet pouch

The packaging is very stylish in black. It comes with a black velvet pouch to protect the nice compact, embedded with the Guerlain signature. The sleek, black compact closes with a magnet. I was looking for something to press at first then realized that it’s more posh than normal compacts.

This compact foundation has a life of 9 months upon opening.

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau in 03 Beige Naturel

The Guerlain Lingerie de Peau contains 2 complementary shades for invisible correction:

The foundation evens out the complexion
The concealer, a shade lighter, lightens dark circles and shadows

I’ve now been using it for 4 days and I’d say it DOES work and feel like second-skin. And even if I have oily skin on certain areas of my face, it didn’t feel sticky or get as shiny as it does before. Upon application, you barely feel the extra layer and it evens out my skin tone nicely. I’m not very good at applying the concealer, though. Maybe I should try using my fingertips instead as I don’t really feel comfortable using the sponge to apply the concealer on the outer corner of my eyes.

I love how it feels on my face and how it stays long enough until evening. I think the only downside with cream foundations is that the cream itself will eventually look icky with tiny hairs from the sponge. Since almost everything sticks to the cream once you use the sponge on it, I guess it’s inevitable to have specks on it later on. Unless someone can give me some tips on how to make it spot-free…

But overall, I love the Lingerie de Peau foundation. Feels light and blends well with my skin. Although I’m not a big fan of applying concealers, it’s great to have both foundation and concealer in one compact. And maybe, I should start using the concealer, too.

You can check out Guerlain at selected Parkson stores (Pavilion, KLCC), KL Sogo, Isetan KLCC, Isetan The Gardens. Price of Lingerie de Peau is around RM200 (visit a Guerlain counter for a more accurate price).

Guerlain invents the most perfect second skin with an all-in-one product. Lingerie de Peau Compact combines the powdery melt-away feel of foundation with the creaminess of a concealer to create a perfect complexion with a spectacular natural finish. Its secret: hyaluronic acid, encapsulated in the Bio-Fusion micro-mesh, continuously captures and maintains water on the skin’s surface.

A creamy second-skin moisturizing texture that enhances your natural beauty, the Guerlain Lingerie de Peau has an ultra-fine, silky-smooth, non-oily texture that coats hyaluronic acid, a substance recognized for its hydrating properties.

The “little nothing” becomes everything… The face regains its luminous freshness and full plumpness. Hold and comfort are irreproachable all day long.  The six shades of the range leave a glowing, long-wearing tone that leaves the skin looking natural. The concealer, in a tone lighter than the shade, fuses perfectly with the skin’s natural tone.

How does it smell:

Lingerie de Peau Compact has a distinctive and delicate floral scent. The first peach note blended with an accord of vegetal notes is fresh and sparkling. The rose, raspberry and jasmine heart is enriched with a powdery base of balsamic, benzoin and white musk.

How to apply:

1. To smooth and even out the complexion with the foundation: apply to the face and neck with the sponge then blend from the centre outwards until perfect cover is achieved. To subtly smooth out marked areas: dab small amounts of the foundation onto the skin then blend in with the other side of the sponge.

2. To minimize the effects of tiredness round the eyes: apply the concealer to dark circles with the rounded corner of the sponge then blend in with the fingertips from the inside of the eye socket outwards.

3. To illuminate the face: using the corner of the sponge, apply dots of the concealer to areas of the shadow (the sides of the nose, the outer corner of the eyes, the corners of the mouth and the hollow of the chin). Then blend into the foundation with fingertips.

For more information, visit www.guerlain.com

Celeste de Jesus

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Guerlain Lingerie de Peau – Foundation & Concealer, Moisturising, Invisible, Skin-Fusion